5 Years Later
Jessica
"They're not coming," she said quietly.
Carter looked down at her, sympathy in his eyes. "I'm sorry."
Jessica shook her head. "It's okay." She took a deep breath. They wouldn't get to ruin her big day. This was about her. Her and Ava. Not them. "I didn't expect them to anyway."
Carter put his hands on her upper arms and lightly rubbed over her bare skin, as if he were trying to warm her up. Jessica offered him a tiny smile of appreciation as she looked up at him.
There was a knock at the door.
Jessica wet her lips and inhaled deeply. "Come on in!" It wouldn't be her parents. She didn't even want it to be.
As soon as she caught sight of her brother's mop of hair poking into the room, she breathed out, grateful for the distraction.
"Hey, sis!" Luke barely got the words out before he was pushed aside by their older sister. He stumbled before he could catch himself on the dresser beside the door.
"You look gorgeous, J!" Debby gushed as she came to a halt a few feet away. Her gaze trailed up and down Jessica's frame, as if she were trying to commit the moment to memory.
Carter took a step back to give them all some privacy.
"I look pretty gorgeous if I dare say so myself," Jessica replied. She twirled once to show off her dress and fancy hairdo. "Zyan did my hair, and Lucy designed the dress. They did the same for Ava."
"Apropos for your wife-to-be," Luke said. "We caught a glimpse of her on our way here, and she looks pretty damn fine." He winked at Jessica.
She smiled brightly. "I can't wait to see her. Carter and Carol wouldn't even let us see each other's dresses before the ceremony."
"It's bad luck!" Debby and Carter replied simultaneously.
Jessica caught Carter's smirk before she rolled her eyes at them. "You're all so superstitious," she complained. "And here I was, thinking we could create our own traditions."
Debby shrugged. "Sometimes the ways of our ancestors aren't so bad."
"I'm gonna go check in on Ava!" Carter announced and headed for the door.
Jessica had to lean to the side to get a proper look at him over Debby's shoulder. "You do that, you lucky bastard! And should Zyan be doing or saying something stupid, please get him away from her!"
Carter stuck his tongue out at her before he left.